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Diggs expected to compete for backup job in Lions' secondary, can play either inside or outside

Thirteen years after the Detroit Lions passed on Quentin Jammer to take Joey Harrington, they made amends by drafting Jammer's brother in the sixth round.

The Lions selected Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs with the 200th pick of the NFL draft today, adding depth to their thin secondary.

Diggs said Jammer, his older brother by 12 years, was the first person to congratulate him on his selection.

"Man, he's probably the most impactful person on my whole deal with football," Diggs said. "He's always there for me. I talk to him every day. Like I said, that's my role model. I love my brother to death."

Jammer, who went fifth overall in the 2002 NFL draft, three picks after the Lions took Harrington, played 12 NFL seasons with the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos.

While Harrington flamed out after four years in Detroit, Jammer played 11 seasons with the Chargers and reached the Super Bowl in his final season in Denver before retiring last year.

Lions cornerbacks coach Tony Oden said Diggs' close relationship with his brother added to his attractiveness as a prospect, though he stopped short of comparing the two as players.

"Obviously, their size is just a little bit different," Oden said. "I haven't studied Quentin like I studied Quandre, so I'm not exactly sure about that. I hate to compare the two. We'll compare them 10 years from now."

Diggs, who measured 5-feet-9 and ran just a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, was a four-year starter at Texas who intercepted 11 passes and broke up 37 over the course of his career.

Oden said Diggs can play both inside and outside cornerback and will be a four-phase contributor on special teams.

"I think I can do it all," Diggs said. "In my mind, I think I can do it all. Don't let the speed fool you, don't let the height fool you. I'm a competitor. I can go out, I can play the game and I can get those things done. It's all about just going out and proving it again."

The Lions, who entered the draft with an aging secondary and questions at their nickel cornerback spot, spent two picks on cornerbacks this weekend.

They took Stanford's Alex Carter in the third round Friday, return starters Darius Slay and Rashean Mathis, and will let Diggs compete with journeyman Josh Wilson and young veterans Bill Bentley and Nevin Lawson for the final two jobs in the secondary.

Both Lawson (dislocated foot) and Bentley (torn ACL) are returning from season-ending injuries, and Oden said he's not sure if either will be ready before the start of training camp.

"If there's anyone that can come back from injuries, those are two guys that can do it," Oden said. "We expect those guys to get healthy and come back and compete."

CB Quandre Diggs

Size: 5-9, 196 pounds.

Age: 23.

School: Texas.

Hometown: Houston, Texas.

The skinny: His brother is former longtime NFL cornerback Quentin Jammer. Diggs was a four-year starter at Texas. He was considered a smart, physical defensive back and had 11 career interceptions, including three as a senior.

Negatives: Had poor combine results. He doesn't have elite speed or enough size to match up well in man coverage outside, which means he will likely compete as a nickel corner.

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Wright had six sacks as a part-time starter over four seasons with the Tigers. He's expected to be a rotational player in Detroit, per Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett. Butch Dill, Associated Press

Wright's weaknesses, according to NFL.com: "Doesn't play with consistent power behind his pads. Must improve at disengaging and locating running back. Displays inconsistent secondary motor when asked to pursue plays beyond the line of scrimmage." USA TODAY Sports

Diggs was projected to go somewhere in Rounds 6-7 of the draft. At 5-9, 196 pounds, he projects as a slot cornerback, since scouts worry he doesn't have the size to match up with bigger wideouts. Ashley Landis